Studied Homeopathic Remedies

If humans have any major rival in the natural world, it’s insects. Despite centuries of warfare against them by humans, insects have held their own, and in some cases continue to flourish. Insects remain a major source of crop damage as well as a vector of illness. Besides all that, they are a nuisance! Insect bites and stings are the inevitable result, it often seems, of doing anything outdoors.

In most cases, the consequences of these misadventures are relatively small. However, some people are highly allergic to the stings of certain insects, and can experience severe, even life-threatening, reactions. None of the homeopathic remedies discussed in this section are meant to address such serious problems. Rather, what we discuss here are potential ways to minimize the natural discomforts of outdoor experiences.

Scientific Evaluations of Homeopathic Remedies for Insect Bites and Stings

In a randomized, single-blind,
placebo-controlled study
, researchers used a homeopathic gel manufactured and marketed in the Netherlands as a topical treatment for insect bites.
1
The gel was made from a mixture of homeopathic medicines that included
Echinacea augustifolia
,
Ledum palustre
,
Urtica urens
, as well as citronella and eucalyptus oils. The researchers managed to find 68 healthy people who were willing to let mosquitoes bite them on the forearm in three different places. The bites were then treated with both the homeopathic gel and placebo that was identical to the treatment except lacking the homeopathic medicines. Unfortunately, the homeopathic remedy proved no more effective than placebo.

It may be worthwhile noting that many homeopaths object to the formulation of this gel, because it includes strongly aromatic oils (citronella and eucalyptus). According to the principles of
classical homeopathy
, these oils would be expected to “antidote” (block) the effects of the homeopathic ingredients.

Traditional Homeopathic Treatments for Insect Bites and Stings

Classical homeopathy often recommends homeopathic
Echinacea
for insect bites and stings with venom.
Ledum
is commonly used for puncture wounds and insect bites, and
Urtica
as a remedy for itching. Other common remedies for insect bites and stings include
isopathic remedies
made from the offending insect, such as honey bee
(Apis mellifica)
or wasp
(Vespa crabro)
.

For a thorough explanation of homeopathy, including dilution of therapies, see the
Homeopathy Overview
.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.